23 Genius Ways to Cheer Up Your Bathroom

The average woman spends one and a half years in the bathroom over her lifetime. (Seriously, Google it.) So shouldn't you give this space some love? "Bathrooms are the easiest place to be fearless and have fun," says design expert Susanna Salk. "You can do a lot without spending a lot." We've got 13 contractor-free ways to make your room a bright and blissful refuge.

… your tiles… Hating your tile color doesn't mean you need to take a sledgehammer to your bathroom. "It's easy to paint over them," says Ashley McLeod of the blog Domestic Imperfection. She swears by Rust-Oleum's Specialty Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit ($25.97). Follow the directions on the box and use a foam roller (fuzzy ones can leave lint behind). The end result will be gleaming and durable. "My shower is going on a year, and not a chip in sight," says McLeod.

… and even your vanity. For those with laminate cabinets, Jennifer Jones from iheartorganizing.blogspot.com shares her trick: Take the doors off and cover everything with a coat of oil-based primer. Once dry, sand, gently clean, and paint. "You'll need something heavy-duty like exterior paint that will stand up to the moisture," says Jones.